Toms River Man Killed In Christmas Day Hit-and-Run: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River police are seeking information after a Toms River man was killed in a hit-and-run on Christmas.

Keith Elliott, 45, of Messenger Street, was found dead in the road at 10:38 a.m. Christmas morning at the intersection of Highland Parkway and Herflicker Boulevard by police responding to a call about a man lying in the road, Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco said.

Elliott had numerous visible injuries consistent with having been hit by a vehicle, Stocco said. Police officers and investigators searched the road and the surrounding area for any physical or video evidence, he said. Investigators are back in the area Monday, contacting local businesses that were closed on Christmas to in an attempt to locate further video evidence, he said.

Stocco said the initial investigation shows Elliott left his residence on Messenger Street and had been walking to the bus terminal on Highland Parkway with the intent of taking a bus to Lacey Township where he was to spend Christmas Day with his family.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office were all called to the scene to assist in the investigation. Detective Michael Proto from the
prosecutor's office and Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Adam Koeppen are leading the investigation, Stocco said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Adam Koeppen at 732-349-0150, extension 1350, or by email at akoeppen@trpolice.org. All information in the case will be kept strictly confidential, Stocco said.

Toms River Police car photo by Karen Wall; Map via Google Maps